Power Companies Fined $100,000 For Cutting Service To Life Support Customers Without Notice

The companies in Queensland and Tasmania have promised to improve.

Two electricity companies have paid $100,000 in fines for cutting power to customers known to require life support without giving them the legally-required notice.

Queensland's Energex was hit with penalties of $40,000 for twice breaching national energy rules while Tasmania's TasNetworks has been fined $60,000 after cutting power to three customers known to require life support, the Australian Energy Regulator said on Tuesday.

Both also say they have "offered administrative undertakings" to improve procedures and processes, including staff training, relating to customers on life support.

"The AER alleged that the life support customers did not receive the required notice of at least four business days, in writing, of a planned interruption to electricity supply," AER boss Paula Conboy said.

"This reduces any risk of harm occurring or more serious consequences for those customers."

Under national law, those who sell energy to premises where life-support equipment is registered must provide advice about supply interruption, planning assistance, a low-cost emergency telephone contact and a minimum four days's notice of planned outages.

"Businesses must have effective systems and processes in place to manage these important life support compliance obligations," Ms Conboy said.